COVID-19 has bought many unforeseen challenges to milk marketing in the early spring of the year. During COVID-19, the cooperative had an opportunity to partner with a cheese plant, Edelweiss Creamery, to make Muenster cheese for food pantries instead of milk being dumped.
One food bank that the cooperative has been shipping cheese to is Hunger Task Force based out of Milwaukee, WI. They are the only food bank in Milwaukee that does not charge for food, delivery or network membership. Hunger Task Force has over 200 access points to serve hungry children, families and seniors with healthy, nutritious food. With funding from government programs such as the dairy recovery program, our cheese is being bought by this organization at the cost of production.
On September 3, Rolling Hills Staff, Bailey Fritsch and Jeanne Hermanson, was invited to assist the Hunger Task Force team with their senior Stockbox distribution. During that day, the group served over 200 seniors by their new system of distribution by a “plunk in the trunk” model. In this model, the group was able to distribute many fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products to these seniors.
If you want to learn more about this event check out this link to a video on the local news in Milwaukee… click here.
Recently, we also partnered with Investors Community Bank to distribute 240 pounds of Muenster to The Gathering Source which is a food pantry located in Juneau, Wisconsin. The cheese was distributed to 144 school children of Dodgeland Schools in need in a school supply filled backpacks for the 2020/2021 school year!